Mining machine



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'Feb'. 17,' 1925 1,526,558

E, c. MORGAN MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2l, 1916 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Feb. 17., 1925.

UNITED STATES EDMUND C. MORGAN,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN EXECUTRIX OF SAID EDMUND C. MORGAN, DECEASED.

MINING MACHINE.

Application med september 21, 1916. serial No. 121,359.

Be it known thait I, EDMND C. MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Machines,

of which the following' is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for mining coal and similar material, and has for its object the provision of a machine of the character named which shall be of improved construction and more eicient in operati-on than similar machines previously manufactured. vThe invent-ion is exemplied in the combination and arrangement of the pants shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification and it is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims:

In the. drawings- Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view through a portion lof a mine chamber showing a machine embodying 'the present invention in top plan view:

Fig. 2 is a, vertical sectional vlew through the mine chamber shown in Fig. 1, the section being taken on the center line of the mining machine.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a mine chamber showing the mining machine in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is ay view similar -.'to Fig. 3, representing the mining machine in lowered position.

the movable motor in its forward position.

Fig. 10 is aA front elevation of one of the loop lcut-ters.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view .of a supporting bar for the chain cutter.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on line 12F-12 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a top p-lan view of a movable frame and motor for one of the cutter chains.

14 is a fragmentary sectional view on line lll-14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 15-15 of Fig. 13.

16 is a, fragmentary sectional view on line 16-16 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 17 is a detail of one of the swinging brackets for supporting the loop cutter.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a supplementary' frame in position for changing one of the chain cutters.

F lgs. 19 and 2O are a side elevation and top plan view, respectively, of a. supplementary chain replacing frame.

Fig. 21 is a. sectional view on line 21721 of Fig 18.

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic system for operating various parts of the machine, and i Figs. 23 and 21 are diagrammatic views showing different cross sectional shapes of mine chambers formed by the mining machine illustrated in the other igures.

In the drawings, the numeral 25 designates a supporting base plate on which are mounted the various parts of a mining machine embodying the present invention. Extending upwardly from opposite sides of the rear portion of the base plate are two hydraulic cylinders 26 which, as shown in Fig. 22, are provided with extensible plungers 27, the heads 28 of which carry downwardly extending bearing members 29. The bearing members 29 are provided with openings 30 in which rest the pivotal journals'31 of a cutter head base plate 32. As shown in Fig. 5 the cutter head base plate 32 has rigidly bolted to its upper surface a two-part box shaped casting or supporting frame member 33; illustrated also in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Each section of the boxshaped frame member 33, as shown in Figs. 5,7, 8 and 22, carries a hollow cylinder 34 which is closed at its upper end and which is provided with a threaded stuffing ring 35 at its lower end. Telescopic pistons 36 cooperate with the cylinders 34 and bear at their lower ends upon the base plate 25. It is evident that operation of the hydraulic jack 'thus formed will raise or lower the boX frame 33 and the operating parts mounted thereon. The rear-end ot the cutter head base plaite 32 may be similarly adjusted by operation of the hydraulic. jacks 26. By combined action of the two sets of jacks llt) on a frame 43 which has a forward and backward sliding movement on the vertical central plane of the cutter head. The frame 43 is supported at its rear end'by a pair of bracket members 44 which depend from a horizontal plate 45. The plate 45 is mounted to slide between ways 46 formed on the upper inner portions of the side members of .the'box frame 33, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9. Also supported by and depending from the plate 45 is a motor 47 connected by gears 48 and worm wheel 49 with a cross shaft 50 which carries a sprocket wheel 51, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. rl`he -gears 48 are enclosed in a casing 52 (Fig. 13) and the worm wheel 49 is enclosed in a casing 53.`\The chain cutter 40, as shown in Fig. 2, slides on the frame 43 and passes around the sprocket 51 and is thus driven by the motor 47 which is mounted to slide forwardly :and backwardly along the central plane in the machine together with the chain 40 and its supporting frame. Longitudinal reciprocation of the cutting mechanism thus formed is produced by a hydraulic cylinder 55' carried on a. plate 56 secured by bolts 57 to the upper portion of the box frame 33. The piston rod 58 of the cylinder 55 connects with an upwardly extending lug 59 formed integral with the upper portion of the sliding plate 45, as showny in Figs. l and 2. It is evident that movement of the piston rod 58 in the cylinder 55 will reciprocate the cutter chain 40 in the longitudinal direction of the mining machine.

The cutter chains 41 and 42 are similar in construction and are carried by loopshaped cutter frames 60 mounted for horizontal pivotal movement about upright axes 61 at opposite sides of the box frame 33. Since these two cutters are substantially alike in construction a description of one will suice for both. The loop-shaped frame 60 is secured to the outer side of a swinging bracket 62 provided with a bearing 63 mounted on the journal 61 about which the loop-shaped cutter swings. A gear segment 64 is secured to the bracket 63 adjacent the pivotal supports 61 and meshes with a rack 65 provided by a plunger 66 fitting within a hydraulic cylinder 67 carried by the plate 56. The reciprocation of the plunger 66 in the cylinder 67 operates the gear segments 64 to swing the cutter 42 about the upright axis 61 to feed the cutter chain into the work. The4 bracket 62 is provided with a shoulder 68 which bears upon an arcuateshaped slideway 69 secured tothe front portion of the box frame 33, as shown in Fig. 9. This slideway supports the bracket 62 andthe loop core cutter as they are swung about the axis 61. The chain cutter 42, as shown in Fig. 10, is driven` by a sprocket wheel 70 journaled for rotation on a shaft 71 in the bracket 62. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17 the sprocket 70 is driven by a sleeve 72r which is journaled in the bracket 62 and which has connected therewith on the side of the bracket opposite the sprocket wheel 70 a pair of arms 73 carrying Vstuds 74 on which are mounted pinions 75. with a circular rack or internal gear 76 secured to the periphery of a recess 77 in the side of the bracket 62. The pinions also mesh with the gear 78 journaled on the shaft 71 and having a beveled gear 79 formed integral therewith. The beveled gear 79 meshes with a beveled pinion 80 secured to the upright armature shaft 81 of a motor 82 which is bolted to a plate 83 (Fig. 17) carried by the side of the bracket 62.

By reason of this arrangement the motor 82 will effect transmission of driving power to the cutter chain 62 through the sprocket wheel 70; although the speed ofthe motor armature shaft is reduced the cutter chain will be driven .at the requisite speed for efficient cutting.

The cutter frames 60 are each fed in one direction only; that is, in the forwarder cutting direction by the rack 65. The return motion isproduced by tension on belts or aprons 85 which are secured to the rear sides of upright portions of the frame 60 and are drawn into the kerf formed by the loop cutters. The rear ends of the aprons The pinions 75 mesh l 85 are wound onreels 86 operated by motors 87 carried on upright side plates 88 extending upwardly from the outer edges of the rear portion of the cutter head base plate 32, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.. It isapparent that tension on the apron 85 produced by the motors 87 will draw the cutter frames 60 backwardly carrying thematerial severed by the loop cutters backwardly with the cutter frames on to the upper surface of the cutter head base plate The. upright side walls 88 are provided with pivoted extensions 89 lfor preventing escape of the severed material and which may be swung inwardly a short distance to permit free movement of the machine into and out of the mining chamber.

The base plate 32 is provided with a sliding extension plate 90 for the purpose of forming aVv close contact between the forward edge of the plate and the wall of a mine chamber from which the material is being severed. This is desirable 'in order thatthere will be no opening left between the plate andthe wall of the chamber through which severedmaterial'may fall as it is being drawn backwardly by the belts 85 on to the cutter head base plate. The extension plate 90 is provided with a suitable depres-v sion 91 in the upper surface of the plate 32 in which it slides, the rear edge of the depression being beveled, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, in order that no particles of material may be caught between the rear edge of the plate 90 and the shoulder formed by the depression 91. The plate 90 is connected by rods 92 to pistons 93 (Fig. 6) mounted to slide in cylinders 94 secured to the rear portion of the base plate 32. The plate 90 is normally drawn rearwardly by coil springs 95 within the cylinders 94 which may be moved forwardly against the tension of these springs by lluid introduced into the' cylinders through hydraulic connections 96. As shown in Figs. and 8 the base plate of the box frame 33 has an opening 97 extending through it and a guard wall 98extends angularly across the base plate from one side of the box frame to a point adjacent the opening `97. As cuttings are deposited by the chain 40 in front of the guard wall 98 they will be gradually worked rearwardly and guided by the guard wall to the opening 97 through which they will fall by gravity Aon to the upper surface of the cutter head base plate 32. In order to move the cuttings formed by the cutter chains rearwardly to a position from which they may be conveyed away. a conveyor chain 100 having flights 101 is mounted to move over the upper surface of a portion of the base plate 32 adjacent the discharge end of the cutter chains 40, 41 and 42. The chain 100 is guided. as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, by a shoulder 103 formed on the base plate 32 and by an overhanging flange 104 formed on the lower surface of the box frame 33. An upwardlyextending ridge 105 having its outer edge gradually sloping extends around the outer periphery of thepath of movement of the flights 101 to prevent escape of material as it is carried by themovement of these flights. As shown in Fig. 2, a portion of thevridge 105 is spaced slightly from the base plate 32 to permit movement of the extension plate 90 beneath it. The chain 100 is driven by a sprocket wheel 106 carried on'an upright shaft 107 and connected by worm gearing 108 with a motor 109 mounted on the base plate 33.

As shown best in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the cutter head base plate 32 is cut away at its rear portion in the shape of an arc of a circle, as indicated at 110, and through the opening thusv formed the material escapes 4as it is drawn backwardly by the aprons 85.

The Vmaterial thus `discharged is received inA a hopper 111 held by a flanged plate112 to about an upright axis. An endless conveyor belt 113 is arranged to carry material from the hopper 111 rearwardly to a position in which it may be discharged into a car or other transporting medium. A guard plate 114 is provided for bridging the opening between the cutter head base plate 32 and the upper edge of the hopper 111. This plate 114 is pivoted' in slots 115 in the side plates 88 and normally rests in the position shown in Fig. 2, it being held from further downward pivotal movement by stops 116. It is evident that the entire plate 114 may move upwardly between the side walls 88 when the cutter head frame is moved to the lowered position indicated in Fig. 4. W'hcn the cutter head frame is in this position material cannot be discharged from the base plate 32 on to the conveyor 113 but must remain on the base plate until the cutter head is again raised to bring the upper edge of the plate 114 in alignment with the upper surface of the plate 32.

For the purpose of advancing the machine forwardly in the mine a pair of hydraulic cylinders 120 is secured to the base plate 25. one at each side thereof, the piston rods of which are provided with heads 121 arranged to bear against jacks 122 which may be secured between the floor and roof of the mine chamber, as shown in Fig, 3. The hydraulic motors 120 are independently operable so that the entire machine may be moved forwardly in a straight line or its position may be shifted in the mine chamber by operating one of the cylinders at a time.

The means for operating the various hydraulic cylinders by which the different parts of a machine are moved will best be understood from Fig. 22. A supply chainber 125 is provided for the operating fluid and within this chamber a pump 126 is mounted which is driven by an electric motor 127. Liquid is forced by the pump 126 through a pressure regulator or safety valve 128 intoia supply pipe 129. A return pipe 130 is provided for conducting the liquid from the various hydraulic cylinders back into the supply chamber 125. T he various cylinders may be connected with either the supply pipe 129 or the return pipe 130 by suitable valves, there being a valve provided for controlling each of the cylinders. For instance, the valve 67 is connected by a pipe 67" with the cylinder 67 and by means of this pipe and valve the interior of the cylinder may be connected at the will of the operator either with the supply pipe 129 or with the exhaust pipe 130. lVhen the cylinder is connected with the supply pipe it is evident that the plunger 66 will be forced outwardly to feed the cutter frame 60 forwardly through the material to be severed. The speed of the feedlng movement may be controlled by the amount the lll) valve 67 is opened. After the cut is completed the valve is reversed toy connect the cylinderwith the exhaust pipe 130, thus leaving the plunger 66 free to be moved backwardly by tension on the belt 85. In a similar manner the cylinders 34 may be simultaneously raised by opening the valve 34 and may be held in their adjusted positions when the valve 34 is set to close the pipe 34". The cylinders may also be lowered'by setting the valve to connect the cylinder 34 with the exhaust pipe 130. The cylinders 26 are similarly controlled by valve 26 and ythe cylinders 94 by valve 94. The cylinderv and the cylinders 120 are arranged 'for positive movement in both directions and hence the valves 120 and 55' must be arranged for alternatively connecting opposite ends of their corresponding cylinders with the supply and exhaust pipes respectively. .These valves are so arranged that the pipes leading to both ends of the cylinders may be simultaneously closed or may be connected with either the supply or the exhaust pipes, the arrangement being such that when one is connected with the supply pipe the other is simultaneously connected with the exhaust pipe. rIhe valves for controlling the .various hydraulic cylinders are all conveniently located on an upright plate or kboard 131, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. This board also carries the controllers 132 for the various electric motors used in operating the machine. The conduits connecting the valves on the board 131 with the cylinders mounted on the cutter head frame are carried in a bundle 133 to a duct 134 secured to the wall 88 of the cutter head frafne.

From time to time during the operation of a mining machine of this character it is necessary to replace or sharpen the bits of the cutting chain. For this purpose the loop chain cutter frames may be swung rearwardly into position where they are accessible,l but .it is evident that it is quite ditcult to reach the chain 40. In order, therefore, that this chain may be removed and a duplicate chain substituted having fresh cutting bits a device illustrated in Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive, is provided. This device consists of a frame having an upper chain guide 135 and a lower chain guide 136. Supporting legs 137 are provided for the frame which may be placed upon the pins 137 on the upper surface of the box frame 33 in the manner indicated in Fig. 18. In this View the unshaded links represent the old chain to be removed from the frame 43 and the shaded links carried on the guides 135 and 136 representing the A chain which is to replace the fused chain.

As shown in this View two of the links of the used chain are separated and the ends of the chain thus formed are connected with ends of the chain to be substituted. After this is done the motor 47 is operated to cause the two chains to interchangeplaces after which the old chain is disconnected and removed and the free ends of the new chain connected thus leaving the new chain in position to continue the cutting operation. Then the interchange is completed the supplementary chain carrier is removed from the top of t-he machine and the operation proceeds as before. The structure shown in Figs. 18 to 21, inclusive, is described and claimed in the co-pending application, Serial No. 593,727, led October 11, 1922, for an improvement in chain cutter renewing mechanism. v

In order that the chains 41 and 42 may be readily removed from their guide frames, these frames as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, are provided with notches in which the chains slide, the notches being of such shape that the chains when loosened may be moved bodily in an outward direction away from the cutter frame bars without the removal of any retaining strips or similar devices. The cutter frame bars 60 are provided with notches 140 and peripheral flanges 141 which cooperate respectively with flanges 142 and notches 143 formed in the links of the cutter chains. It is clear that when the chains are stretched about their respective frames the tension in the chains will prevent them from moving outwardly-away from their guide frames, but when it is desired to remove the chains they may be suiiciently slackened either by an adjustment in the frames or by disconnecting the links of the chains so that the chains will move readily in an outward direction from the frames a suicient amount to permit the removal of the chains from the frames.

Briefly, the operation of the machine is as follows: The plate 25 is positioned on thc floor of a mine chamber and the valves controlling the proper hydraulic cylinders are operated to raise the forward end of the cutter head frame into position to make the uppermost cut. The frame may be inclined, as shown in Fig. 2, or may be held in a horizontal position, as Vshown in Fig. 3. If the frame is inclined it is evident that the cuts made by the loop core cutters 41 and 42 will be higher at the central portion of the chamber than at the sides and that the roof of the chamber will be formed in the shape of an arch, as shown at 150 in Fig. 23. If the cutter head is held ina horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 3,. the loop core cutters will operate on the same level during their entire movement and the roof of the charnber will be fiat, as indicated-at 151 in Fig. 24. Under some conditions the archshaped roof 150 is more desirable as it forms a better support for the material above the chamber, but where such support is not lll) necessary the flat roof 151 may be preferred as the material may be more completely removed when this shape of roof 1s formed.

AIn making the cut the chain is fed forwardly by the hydraulic cylinder while the motor 47 operates the chain to form an upright central kerf. Either while this kerf is being formed or subsequently the loop core Vcutters 41 and 42 are swung about their axes by the hydraulic cylinder G7, their chains being driven by the motors 82 carried upon the loop cutter frames. In this way a crescent-shaped cut is made from the base of a mine wall, the material severed being divided into two sections by the upright. kerfformed by the cutter 40. During the forward movelnent of the loop core cutters the aprons 85 are left free to be drawn into the kerfs which they form. The cuttings formed by the cutter chains are carried backwardly and deposited upon the flights of the conveyor chain 100 which discharges them at the rear of the base plate 32 from which they are gradually fed into the hopper 111. After the half crescentshaped sections of material have been entirely disconnected the aprons 85 are wound upon their respective drums and the loop core cutters drawn backwardly, thereby carrying the severed material with them and depositing it upon the rear portion of the plate 32. The material brought backwardly after each cut forces the material already upon theV plate into the hopper 111 from whence it is carried by the conveyor 113 and loaded -into any convenient form of transports.

Ordinarily the contact of the aprons 85 and the loop cutter frame GO with the severed material will be sufficient to cause the material to move backwardly with these parts. In order to insure close contact between the mine wall and the plate 62 the extension plate 90 is forced outwardly by the hydraulic motors 94 into firm contact with the mine wall before the cutting operation is begun. During the cutting operation the extension plate is held in this position by the liquid in the cylinders, the control valves being set to retain the liquid in the cylinders until the cutting operation is completed.

After the upper cut has been made the cutter head is lowered to rest on the bottom of the mine chamber and the operation is repeated to form the lower cut. It will be apparent, however, that the severed material cannot be discharged in the hopper 111 while the cutter head is in its lowermost position because of the fact that the guide plate 114 will extend upwardly through the opening 110 and interfere with movement of material over the plate 82 into the hopper. It will be necessary, therefore. after the severed material has been drawn backward-ly onto the plate 32 to elevate the cutt'er'head veach havin before the material thereon is discharged into the hopper. The machine is moved forwardly into the mine chamber whenever necessary by operation of the hydraulic cylinders 120.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the exact construction disclosed.

I claim:

1. A mining machine comprising a supporting frame, loop-shaped core-cutters each having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, means for operating said cutters to sever a section of material in a mine vein, and means mounted on said supporting frame in position for dividing the severed section of material into separate parts.

2. A mining machine comprising supporting framework, means mounted on said framework for cutting a single core section in a mme vein, and additional cutting means separate from said first-named cutting means but in position on said framework for transversely cutting said section into separate parts.

3. A mining machine comprising supporting framework, of a loop core-cutter having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and mounted on said framework in a position to cut a horizontal core of material in a mine vein from one side of said framework toward the longitudinal axis thereof, and additional cutting means mounted on said framework in position to cut an upright kerf to transversely sever the cut core into separate parts.

4. A mining machine comprising a supporting frame, a plurality of loop core-cutters each having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and mounted on said frame in position to cut a core section in a mine vein, and means also mounted on said frame in position for transversely severing said section into separate parts, and means for operating said cutting means and said transverse severing means to dislodge from the mine vein a core section divided into separate parts. r 5. A mining machine comprising a supporting frame, a pair of loop core-cutters an unobstructed core-opening therethroug and each mounted on said frame for lateral swinging movement relatively thereto, means for operating said cutters to cut a core section in a mine vein adjacent said frame, and means also mounted on said frame in position to transversely sever the core section into separate parts.

6. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of loop chain core-cutters each havingan unob-v structed core-opening therethrough and mounted for pivotal movement about separate axes spaced from one another, and means for operating said cutters including feeding movement thereof about said axes simultaneously and toward each other to cause each to cut a core section in a mine Wall,

`7. A mining machine comprising a supporting frame, a pair of loop cutters mount-` ed on said frame for pivotal movement about spaced upright axes, means for operating said cutters including the, feed thereof toward each other about said axes, and a separate cutter mounted on said frame in positionA for severing thematerial disconnected by said loop cutters.

.8.A mining machine comprising'a supporting frame, a pair of loop core-cutters mounted on said frame and each having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, meansffor operating said cutters includinfT pivotal movement thereof relatively to said frame to sever a section of material from the mine vein, an additional cutter mounted on said frame in position for a feeding path of travel between said loop core-cutters, and means for operating said additional cutter to divide the core cut by said loop core-cutters.

9. In a mining machine, a pair of loop cutters mounted for'pivotal movement about spaced upright aXes, and a third cutter movable in a vertical plane between said axes.

10. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of means mounted thereon in position for cutting a core section in a mine vein provided with a vertical kerf for division of the core section, and means mounted on said frame for moving the separate portions of said section 'from the mine Wall along separate paths toward loading position.

11. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of means for cut-r ting a core section in a mine vein, operatorcontrolled power operated mechanism -mounted on said supporting frame in cooperative relation with said cutting means for dividing the cut core section, and means for 'moving separate portions of the cut section away from one another and toward loading position.

12. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of means mounted thereon for cutting a core section ina bodyA of material, mechanism mounted o-n said supporting frame in cooperative relation 'with said cutting means for dividing the core section into substantially half portions, and means for engaging such half portions and moving them oppositely' over dierent paths toward loading position.

with a supporting frame, of a double corecutter mounted on said frame in position for movement from the end of the core to the center thereof, means for operating said double core-cutter to cut a core section in a mine vein, means mounted on said supporting frame in position to act on the center of said core to divide the same-approximately in halves, and means mounted on said frame for moving the respective halves from their intermediate positions toward loading position along opposite sides of said supporting frame.

14. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of means mounted thereon in position to cut a crescent-shaped core-section from a mine vein adjacent said frame, means mounted on said frame in position to act transversely of said coresection to divide the same into two parts while still retaining its original position in the mine vein, and means mounted on said frame in position to take the twolparts of the core-section from the positions assumed thereby after being completely cut out from the mine vein toward loading position.

15. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of loop chain core-cutters each having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and mounted on said frame for pivotal movement relatively thereto on upright axes, means for operating said loop chain corecutters including swinging feeding movement thereof about said upright axes toward one another to cut a core-section extending through said unobstructed coreopenings in opposite directions, means mounted on said frame between said,core cutters in position to cut the core-section in two, and means mounted on said frame to act on the cut core-sections in positions assumed thereby after being completely cut out from the mine vein and taking the respective portions of said core along opposite sides of the frame toward loading position.

16. In a mining machine, a pair of loop cutters mounted for pivotal movement about spaced upright axes, means for swinging said cutters toward one another to cause each of said cutters to disconnect a portion of a crescent-shaped core section from a mine vein, an upright cutter movable between said axes to separate the portions of said core section, and means for moving said portions away from one another and from their severed position toward loading position.

17. In a mining machine, a pair of loop chain core cutters each mounted for pivotal move-ment on its own separate axis. and

lformation. with an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, a motor carried by said cutter frame and movable therewith for driving said cutter chain, and hydraulic power mechanism for feeding said cutter chain by swinging said cutter frame about an upright aXis'and ylocking said cutter frame against retrograde movement.

20. In a mining machine, the combination with a. supporting frame, of a loop chain core cutter comprising a cutter chain and a cutter frame having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, a gear segment attached to said cutter frame for rotation therewith about an upright axis, a rack in mesh with said gear segment, a hydraulic plunger for operating said rack to effect forward feeding. movement of said cutter chain, and mechanism for preventing retrograde movement of said plunger to lock the cutter chain in the forward position to which it has been fed and prevent retrograde movement of said cutter chain.

21. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of loop chain core-cutters mounted thereon for swingingfeeding movements on spacedapart axes and each comprising a chain cutlrer and a frame for supporting said chain in loop formation, means for operating said cutters including feeding movement thereof by swinging the said cutter frames toward oneanother to sever a core section from a mine vein of material readily broken, and two aprons one attached to one of said cutter frames and the other attached to the other of said cutter frames, and means for pulling said aprons to b reak the core material in two and move the respective portions rearwardly toward loading position.

22. In a mining machine, a pair of loop chain cutters mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from one another about upright axes, means for swinging said cuttersA toward one another to cause said cutters to co-operate to sever a core section from zr mine jvein, means for severingfrom one another the portions of said core sections severed by said cutters, and means for moving each of said cutters, togetherg-withthe vportion of material severed thereby, rearwardly to move said material away from the severed position toward loading position.

3. In a mining machine, a cutter head. a pair of loop cutters mounted for pivotal movement about upright axes on said head, means for swinging said cutters toward one another to sever a. section of material from a mine vein, a third cutter for dividing into two sections the material severed from said loop cutters, aprons secured to each of said loop cutters and arranged to move there- -With into the kerf formed thereby, and

means for exerting tension on said Vaprons to draw said loop cutters backward together with the material severed thereby to move the disconnected portions of said material over separate paths from its native position toward loading position.

24. A mining machine comprising a supporting frame, two chain core-cutters mounted'on said frame and each comprising a cutter frame and having an unobanism, a bracket for supporting said cutf ting mechanism, an upright pivotal support for said bracket` a rack and pinion for rotating said bracket about said axis to effect feeding movement of said cutting mechanism, a sprocket wheel on one side of said bracket for driving said cutting mechanism. a motor carried by said bracket on the side thereof opposite said spro'ket wheel, driving connections between said motor and said sprocket wheel. and means for operating said rack and pinion to efect feeding movelnent of said cutting mechanism.

26. A mining machine comprising a supporting frame, two cutter frames each h'aving an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and each mounted on said supporting frame for swinging movement toward and away from the other cutter frame, chain cutters one for each of said cutter frames means for driving said chain cutters along said cutter frames, and means for swinging said cutter frames contemporaneously in opposite directions respectively on spacedapartaxes during the driving of said chain cutters to eut arcuate sections of the core in a mine wall in 'arcuate alinement with each other.

27. In a mining machine, the combination with a pair of pivotally mounted swinging cutter-frames, each having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, of endless chains mounted on said cutter-frames and provided withcutting devices for cutting core sections in the face of a mine wall, means for driving said chains, means for swinging said cutter-frames from a dii-'erging position toward a parallel position, and mechanism mounted in position to cut a kerf transversely of the core section when said firstnamed cutters 'are in diverging relation.

Q8. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an elevated slideway thereon, a horizontal plate movable along said slideway, an upright frame suspended from said plate, an endless chain cutter mounted on said upright frame to travel around the periphery thereof while suspended fromsaid plate, means for moving said pl'ate along said slideway to feed said chain cutter into the material to be operated upon, and a motor carried by said plate and movable therewith in position to drive said chain cutter in all of the positions which it assumes relative to said supporting frame while suspended from said plate.

.29. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a chain kerf cutter comprising an upright frame and adapted to cut a plane kerf, means for drivmg said chain cutter with its lower run traveling toward said supporting frame after emerging from the mine wall adjacent said supporting frame, means for fe'eding said chain cutter rectilinearly along lines in the plane of said upright frame to out a kerf in the plane of said chain kerf cutter, and a conveyor mounted on said supmrting frame in fixed relation thereto adjacent the lower run of said chain cutter in position for removing cuttings delivered to it by said lower run.

30. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plane kerf cutter con'iprising an upright frame. and a cutter chain traveling about the periphery of said frame in the upright plane ofthe latter, means for driving said chain cutter in an upright plane to eut an upright plane kerf, means forfeeding said kerf cutter along lines in its own plane with a lower iu n of the cutter chain emerging from the nime wall to deliver cuttings to the said supporting frame adjacent said lower run and -a conveyor on said supporting frame in fixed relation thereto with its path of travel ad- ]acentthe various positions of the lower run of said chain cutter where it emerges from -the mine wall.

31. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of chain cutterseach having a separate pivot and each having relatively upper and lower rims, means for driving said chain cutters with their lower runs emerging from the mine wall adjacent the forward end of said supporting frame to effect the delivery of cuttings from the mine wall to said supporting frame, and a single conveyor mounted on said` supporting frame for movement along the forward portion thereof in position to receive the cuttings from the lower rims of said chain cutters as said lower runs emerge from the mine wall and remove such cuttings toward loading position,

32. In a mining machine, the combination with, a supporting frame having an upper forward extension with an unobstructed space beneath the'same, of a guideway excarried by said supplemental frame andV movable therewith in position to drive said chain cutter in all the positions which .the latter assumes relative to said supporting frame. t

33. In a mining machine; the combination with a supporting frame, having an upper forward extension with an unobstructed space beneath the same,` of guidewaysbn said upper forward extension, a kerf cutting machine mounted on said extension forl feeding movement along said guideways in position to cut an upright plane kei'f'inn niine vein, a lower forward entension on said support-ing frame beneath said unobstructed space, and a conveyor on said lower extension in position to receive cuttings from said kerf cutting machine and convey suoli cuttings toward loading position.

3l. A mining machine comprising a pair of core-cutting devices, a pair of 'supports one for each of said core-cutting devices, means for initially advancing said core-c utting devices into the work while operating the same and for continuing such movement of said cutting devices in opposite directions respectively and in directions transverse to their initial advance while continuing to operate said cutting devices, and operatorcontrolled power-operated m e c h a n 1 s in mounted in position to act on the core transversely thereof to divide thesame to facilitate handling thereof.

435. A mining machine comprising two cutter rframes each having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, chain cutters one foi` each of said cutter frames, separate pivotal mountings for said cutter` frames, and means for contemporaneously swinging said cutter frames on said pivotal mountings in opposite directions while operating both of said chain cutters.

36. A mining machine comprising two cutter-frames each having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, chain-cutters one for each of said cutter-frames, means for swinging said cutter-frames contemporaneously in opposite directions respectively While operating said chain-cutters respectively, and means ,mounted on the machine in position to act transversely of the core to divide the same to facilitate h-andling.

375A: mining machine comprising two cutter frames each having anunobstructed core opening therethrough, means for sup'- porting said cutter frames with their openings opposite each other, chain cutters one for each of said cutter frames, means for swinging said cutter frames contemporaneously in opposite directions respectively, means for operating said chain cutters While thus being fed to entirely sever from a mine Wall oppositely extending cores, and a plane kerf-cutter on said frame in position to di- A vide the core.

38. In a mining machine, the combination with a base plate adapted to rest onf the floor of a mine chamber, of spaced-apart hydraulic jacks mounted on said base plate in position to engage the roof of a mine chamber and thereby anchor said base plate, core-cutting mechanism, a supporting frame for said core-cutting mechanism, pivotal -thereby adjust the elevationv and inclination of said core-cutting mechanism.

39. In a mining machine, the combination with a base frame, of spaced-apart hydraulic cylinders mounted on saidl base 1 frame, plungers vertically movable one in each of said cylinders, a supporting frame, a core-cutter mounted on said supporting frame for pivotal movement on anupright axis in advance of one end of said support-ing frame, means for pivotally supporting the opposite end of said supporting frame .on said plungers for movement up and down therewith, means for controlling the lifting and lowering of said plungers by a pressure medium in saidcylinders to vary the elevation ofthe rear end of said supporting frame, and means for operating said core-cutting mechanismA including the feeding movement thereof relatively to said supporting frame on said upright axis.

40. In a mining machine, the combination With a frame, of cutting apparatus mounted on said frame, a pivotal support for the rear port-ion of said frame, spacedapart upright hydraulic motors for adjusting rectilinearly and in an upright direction the elevation of said pivotal support, andseparate hydraulic mechanism connected to an intermediate portion of said frame andl controllable independently of said hydraulic motors for varying the inclination of said frame and said cutting apparatus and also co-acting with said hydraulic motors for varying the elevation of the said frame and said cutting apparatus as a vwhole rectilinearly in an upright direction.

41. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of a core cutter mounted on said frame for feeding movement on an upright axis, a pivotal support for one end of said frame, spaced apart hydraulic jacks applied directly to said pivotal support for adjusting the height thereof, and spaced apart hydraulic jacks applied to an intermediate portion of said frame spaced from said pivotal support for swinging said frame together with said core cutter about said pivotal support.

42. In a mining machine, a frame, a pair of loop chain core cutters mounted for pivotal movement about upright axes located adjacent one another on said frame, means for support-ing said frame for movement about a horizontal axis at a point removed from said loop cutters, means for adjusting the position of said horizontal axis, and means for swinging said frame vertically about said horizontal axis.

43. In a mining machine, the combination with a hopper, of a conveyer for receiving material from said hopper and moving the same toward loading position, a supporting frame associated with said hopper, kerfcutting mechanism mounted on saidV supporting frame in position to cut in an upright plane, means for operating said kerf-cutting'mechanism including the feed thereof into a mine wall, and means for directing the cuttings from said cutting mechanism into said hopper.

44:. In a mining machine, the combination with a base frame, a conveyer having a receiving portion mounted on said base frame, a supporting frame comprising a plate having a delivery opening therein, a guide plate for directing material from said supporting frame plate onto said conveyer, said guide plate being movable relatively to said suporting frame to permit the latter to be rought into proximity to said base frame, cutting mechanism mounted on said supporting frame in position to operate in an upright plane, and means for conveying cuttings from said cutting mechanism along said supporting frame throughs'aid delivery opening into said directing guideI plate and onto said conveyer. .l

45. A; mining machine comprising a supporting frame, a double core-cutter mounted on said frame in position to simultaneously cut the opposite ends of a single core, means for operating said diouble core-cutter including feeding movement thereof relat-ively to said supporting frame, a kerf-cutter mounted on said frame in position to divide the co-re, and means mounted on said frame for directing the dislodged core of material away from the mine wall.

46. In a mining machine, a cutter head comprising a base plate having an arcuate notch formed at -the rear thereof through which material is discharged, said plate extending upwardly at the edges of said base plate, a guide plate extending downwardlyv from said discharge notch, sliding pivotal connections between said guide plate and said side plates, stops for limiting'the downward movemenft of said guide plate, said guide plate being movable upwardly to a position above said base plate.

47. In a mining machine, a supporting I base, a cutter head mounted on said base and adjustable vertically relative thereto, said cutter head comp-rising a base plate 'having a discharge opening, a guide plate for directing material from said discharge opening, said guide plate being pivotally mounted on said cutter head and normally extending below said base plate 'but being movable to a position above said base plate to permit said cutter head to move downwardly to a position adjacent said supporting base. E

48. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame adapted to receive material directly from a; mine wall at variouselevations, the forward edge of said frame being curved to approximately t the curved coal face, of means for adjusting the elevationand inclination of the said forward edge of said frame, a movable extension at the forward edgel of said frame and also having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said frange, said extension being movable beyond the forward edge of said frame to abut against the coal face and fill the gap between the said frame and said coal face when the said frame is varied in elevation and inclination, and hydraulic mechanism for adjusting said movable extension relative to said frame. v

49. In a mining machine, the combination 4with a supporting frame. of apparatus mounted on said frame for dislodging material from a minewall, of means for operat- .ing said dislodging ap aratus including feeding movement thereof) relatively to said supporting frame, an extension fixed to said frame and having a forward edge conformmounted on said fixed extension, resilient 'means for holding said movable extension normally in retracted position, and .hydraulic mechanism for moving the movable extension against the action of said 'resilient means to abut directly against the mine wall below such dislodging apparatus to fill the gap between said fixed extension and the mine wall while said frame andsai'd fixed extension remain stationary.

50. In a mining machine, the combination with a` supporting frame, of cutting apparatus mounted on said frame, means for pivotally supporting said frame and said cutting apparatus for adjustment in elevation and inclination, an adjust-able extension for the forward end of said frame in a position to abut against the mine wall below the cutting apparatus to iill the gap between said frame and the mine wall vfor various elevations of said cutting apparat-us,

. resilient means normally retracting said extension member, and means kfor positively moving said extension member forwardly against the tension of saidl resilient means and for holding said extension member stationary in its extended position during the operation of said cutting apparatus abov n said extension.

51. A mining machine comprising supporting framework, a plurality of hydraulic motors for adjusting the position of said framework, cutting apparatus mounted on said framework, means comprising a plurality of hydraulic motors for operating said cutting apparatus, a continuously operable pump for supplying a fluid pressure medium toJ all of said hydraulic motors, a safety valve for controlling the pressure of said medium, and a lurality of control valves for governing sald positioning motors independently of the governing of said hydraulic motors for'said cutting apparatus.

52. A- mining machine ycomprising supe porting framework, a plurality of kerf cutters each comprising a cutter frame with an endless chain cutter thereon, a. plurality of fluid ressure devices, one connected to each -tional motor mounted thereon, means for supporting said core-cutting mechanism for feeding move- 'ment on an uprightv axis, a motor connected 'to saidv cutter frame to 'effect feeding movement of said 4core-cl'ltting mechanism relatively td said supporting frame on such upright axis, anv additional motor separate from and independentv of said feedin mlotor for driving slid endless chain, sai addiingl'connected to said cutter frame to move y therewith, and means for controlling said feeding motor independently of said driving motor.

' 54.- In a mining machine, the combination with asupporting me, of core-cutting mechanism comprising a cutter chain and 'a cutter frame having an unobstructed coretherethrough mounted on said supporting frame for swinging movement relatively thereto, a motor for swinging said cutter frame relatively to said supporting frame on an upright axis to effect arcuate feeding movement of said chain cutter in a general horizontal direction, an individual motor'. for driving' said cutter chain, said vdriving motor being separate from and independentof said feeding motor, and means for controlling said feeding motor independently ofthe operation of said driving motor.

55. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting fra-me, of an upright fecting'feedmg movement of said plane kerfcutter relatively to saidsupportlng frame A while the latter remains stationary, a separate and independent, motor for driving said chain-cutter independent of its feeding movement, and means for controlling said feeding motor independently of the operation of said driving motor.'

'56. Ina mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of loop chain core-cutters each having'l an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and mounted for swinging movements toward,

and from each other on upright axes 'on said supporting frame, two motors, one on' each of said core-cutters for driving the same independently of each other and independent ofAA feeding movements thereof,

two feeding motors, one connected to each of said core-cutters for swin the la'tter toward each other to'eiiectl ceding movement thereof, and means for controlling said feeding motors independently of each other and independently of the operation of either of said driving motors.'

v i 57. In a machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of loop chain core-cutters, each ha an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and mounted on said frame for swinging feedmg movement relatively. thereto, a plane dependently of each other and independ- I Y ently of the feed of the respective-cutters, a

to each ofsaid cutters, and means for controlling each of said feeding pendently of thel other feeding motors vand also independently of the operation of each of said drivingmdtors.

58. In a mining machine, the combination with a pair' of loop chain core cutters, of a frame on which said core cutters are mounted for movement toward each other, means for' operating said core cutters including the feed of each toward the `othernfor cutting a section from the wall of the lmine, and a kerf-cutter for separating the section'into smaller sections. y

59.' lIn a mining machine, the combination with a pair of loop chain core cutters, ofa

frame for carrying said 'core cutters for movement toward each other, means for opY erating said core cutters including lfeeding Ymovements toward each other to, sever a section of material from a mine wall, and means in'posit-ion to act on the central portion of the sections for breaking the section into smaller sections.

60. A mining machine comprising' a sup-A porting frame, a pair of core-cutters mountedthereon, means for operatlng said core- -cutters to cut oppositely extending core sections in a mine wall while said frameoccupies a predetermined position' adjacent the mine wall, and means mountedon said frame in position to act on the core sections at the mine wall to vbre-ak the same into smaller sections', p

61. In a mining machine, the 'combination with a pair of core cutters separatelypivoted, of means for operatingsaid core cutters to cut oppositely extending core sections in a mine wall, and means for breaking the core sections into smaller sections and for returning said core cutters. 62.' In a mining machine, the combination with two independentfloop chain core cutting mechanisms, of independent means for moving said cuttingv mechanisms toward each other to cut a core section from the wall lplurality of feeding motors one connected motors indeof aI mine, Yindependent belts attached to said cutting mechanisms,l and means foroperating said belts to breakthe sectlon into l with asupporting frame, of a plurality of from the mine wall:

63. vIn a mining machine, the combination'- with cutting mechanism, of a belt connected .to said cutting mechanism', means comprising a Huid pressure motorior operating said cutting mechanism and drawing said belt into the mine wall, means for controlling said fiuid pressure motor to prevent retrograde movement vof said (hitting mechanism, means for exerting a pull on said belt to break the cut material from the mine wall while said cutting mechanism is locked against retrograde movement, said pulling means also being capable of restoring said cutting mechanism to initial position when 'said Huid presmire motor is released, and means for directing the dislodged material toward a predetermined position. y`

64. In a. mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, otmultipleloop core-cutting mg'echanisnmy mounted: thereon, means for operating said multiple loop corecutting mechanism to sever material en bloc from a mine wall adjacent said supporting frame, means for adj usting the height of said multiple loop core-cutting mechanism, and mechanism mounted on said supporting frame adjacent saidfcore-cutting mechanism in position to act on the core in its native position in the mine veinto eiiect division thereoito facilitate handling.

65. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of corecutters mountedon saidframe in position for entirely severing from a mine Wall a crescent-shaped block 'of material adjacent said frame, meansjor operating said corecuttersto sever such crescent-shaped block of, material, mechanism mountedv on said frame adjacent said core-cutters in position to act o n the crescent-shaped mass in itsV native position to divide the same, and power-operated' mechanism mounted on said frame in position for engaging the divided sections'in cut positions andfmove the same back from the mine Wall toward loading position. v J

66. In a mining machine, the combination loop chain 'core-cutters mounted on said frame each in a position to. cut a section of an entire core in. amine wall adjacent said frame, means for operating said corecutters to dislodge such an entire ,core in a mine wall adjacent said frame, an additional plane kent-cutter mounted on said frame adjacent said core-cutters, means for operating said plane kerf-cutter to cut a korf transversely/of the core during the operation lof the core-cutters and retract suchV plane kerf-cutter before the completion of the feeding movements of the first-named core-cutters ,'and vmeans forenga'ging the severed material .in the position assumed masses' thereby after being dislodged and moving such severed material back from the mine wall.

67. In a mining machine, the combination .with a supporting frame, of a pair of cutting devices mounted vithereon, on spaced pivots, means for operating said cutting de- Vices including the feed thereof toward each other, and means separate from said cuttingdevices in positlon on said supporting frame for receiving the cuttings from said cutting devices and transferring such cuttings back from' the mine wall.

.68. In a mining machine, the combina-V tion with a supporting trame, of a pair of .cutting devices mounted thereon for feeding movement relatively thereto vlvon spaced apart axes, means for operating said cutting devices, including feeding movement thereof toward each other, means for reversing the movements of said cutting de# vices to engage/.the cut material and move the same away from its cut position, and

mechanism connected to said cutting devices.

and coacting with portions of said supporting frame to constitute spaced-apart chutes on opposite sides of said frame to direct the dislodged material from the mine wall toward loading position.

69. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of loop chain core cutters movable on said frame toward each other on separate pivots, means for Aoperating' said core cutters including feed toward each other to cause each to produce a U-shaped hert` in a mine Wall, and' means mounted on said frame in position for moving back from the mine wall the material severed by said cutters.

'70. A mining machine comprising a sup# portilig frame, a plurality of separate corecutting mechanisms mounted on said frame in position to operate on a mine wall adjacept said frame in spaced-apart positions but cooperatively related by acting on adja- -cent bodies of material toward each other to sever a single continuous core-section of material fromthe mine Wall, independent means for operating and controlling said cutting mechanisms, and means mounted on said frame in position for moving 'the dislodged materialjfrom the mine wall toward loa ing position. Q

7 lin a mining machine, the combination with a sup orting frame comprising a platform, of a conveyor operable approximately in the plane of said platfom, kerf-cutting mechanism having upper and lower portions and mounted on Said supporting frame in va position entirely separated from said conveyor, means for operating said kerf-cutting mechanism including driving thereof by causing the lower portion thereof toemerge" from the mine wall above the forward portion of said platform onto said conveyer, 

